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Silent No More
A Personal Note from Sydna A. Masse on Using the Post-Abortive Testimony
at a "Public Awareness" Level
One of the goals of Ramah International is to help post-abortive individuals find God's healing so they will be empowered to share their abortion testimony with others - particularly, the abortion-minded. We believe this mission is outlined in Revelations 12:11 (NIV), They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Many express this calling as a desire to break free from their self-imposed prison of secrecy and become "silent no more." This phrase originated with a book by Dr. David Reardon. I read this book when I entered the pro-life arena in 1991 upon my employment at Focus on the Family. The post-abortive stories allowed me to understand that my pain was typical and that many of my apprehensions in life could be related to my abortion choice. I enrolled in a post-abortive outreach program and experienced a miraculous release from the emotional pain and depression that had haunted my life.
God made it very obvious to my heart soon there after that I was to outline my personal struggle with abortion to help others find the same hope through God's healing that He had made so evident to me. I must confess that sharing openly wasn't a calling I initially embraced. I fought this calling, but God's hand was heavy upon my heart. While I feared rejection and judgment, the first audience to hear my story responded with love and compassion. God later opened the door for my story to be shared on the Focus on the Family daily broadcast with Dr. James Dobson. Since that time, I've openly shared my story all over the world. I've testified before audiences as large as 750,000 and as small as one person.
To be silent no more at a public level is a very difficult calling and one that requires a great deal of spiritual depth. As I have matured, I've watched how the pro-life movement has come to openly encourage and even solicit the post-abortive testimony for various "awareness" efforts. I'm convinced that public testimony is a RARE calling because of the intense individual responsibility and spiritual depth that is required. An individual desiring to use their abortion testimony to make a difference in others lives must share thier "secret" with their friends and family first and foremost. Training in the area of abortion-minded and post-abortive advocacy must be completed to equip them to minister to those who may respond in an unexpected manor to their abortion testimony.
Leaders of many "awareness campaign" efforts are well-intentioned. Unfortunately, many are inexperienced in the area of post-abortion outreach and unqualified to verify each candidate's healing and spiritual maturity before utilizing them at a public level. This is the main reason Ramah International does not support any current awareness campaigns. We do, however, support individuals that we know well who are working to equip the post-abortive hearts in sharing their stories.
What Ramah does support is the work of pregnancy care centers and a few select organizations that are laboring diligently to empower individuals who have experienced true healing from their abortion and have received God's calling to responsibly share their abortion testimony at all levels including an individual, a nation or a world. God's empowerment is the most critical element in this passion. Through the many Christ-centered post-abortion outreach programs available many individuals are finding this healing and being mentored to make a difference in the lives of others considering this choice or who are struggling with their own abortion experience.
A select few of these healed individuals are then mentored by the staff of these local centers to be "silent no more" at various levels: state capitols, pregnancy center banquets, church programs, abstinence education efforts and many other arenas. The emotional support provided by outreach leaders further enhances the fruit of these testimonies. These humble, prepared hearts are indeed making a true difference in turning the hearts of our world against the evil of abortion.
God has given me a protective heart when it comes to the post-abortive. I've seen pro-life individuals use the post-abortive person to advance their own passion to end abortion. Being "silent" before God's healing and without God's empowerment can be disastrous, further wounding the post-abortive individual. If unequipped to address an immediate physical, phsycologolical and emotional need in the midst of an "awareness campaign", facilitators may leave attendees feeling more confused and helpless. Ill-equipped event coordinators can damage the mission to reach those wounded by abortion with the hope of God's healing touch.
I've worked with thousands of post-abortive individuals and have come to realize that many have become extremely dysfunctional; depending upon where they are in God's healing process. I am always amazed to hear that many post-abortive individuals are actually seeking out the public platform and feel great delight in being "silent no more." I find this troubling and often come to the conclusion that those who want to share publicly are oftentimes the least qualified to do so. It simply is too serious of a calling to take so lightly and many do so only seeking personal gain.
Many want to share publicly as a form of penitence -- a way to atone for what they have done or to earn God's forgiveness. Others do so in an attempt to find healing without attending a ministry program. Some want the pain to go away and think that a public platform may be the means to that end. When they leave the stage, these individuals often do not experience the desired relief from thier pain and can fall deeper into despair as a result of sharing.
Our voice needs to be strong and confident when we testify, not overwhelmed with emotion. My heart breaks when I hear of post-abortive individuals shouting their testimonies and displaying great anger against those who support abortion rights. Their intense pain is evident and the public spectacle they present is not a productive means to ending abortion.
God has impressed upon my heart that our world doesn't need a great number of individuals speaking out. What we need are trained voices, operating at a Gideon's army level (read the story in Judges 6), to make a difference in the hearts of our nation. That takes time and mentoring on the part of those who want to be involved in this effort. In the end, it's going to be very obvious that God has put an end to abortion and not ourselves.
On the other hand, if you are evading God's calling to be "silent no more," understand that this is a very real and normal emotion. It doesn't mean that God has intended to place you on a public platform. Your local pregnancy care center could certainly use your testimony out of the public eye serving those who are considering abortion. This sharing doesn't require the same amount of training or equipping and will have significant and eternal results. I encourage you to call, visit or stop by your local center to see how the Lord is working in your community to end abortion one life at a time.
If you'd like to read more about this topic, I strongly recommend you obtain a copy of our booklet entitled, "Sharing the Secret of Abortion," that outlines the process of preparing yourself to share on this subject in greater detail. I also welcome your e-mails and I am available to refer you to a healing program in your area. May the Lord continue to bless your heart as you travel in the journey of His will for your life.
Sydna Masse
President & Founder
Ramah International, Inc.
One of the goals of Ramah International is to help post-abortive individuals find God's healing so they will be empowered to share their abortion testimony with others - particularly, the abortion-minded. We believe this mission is outlined in Revelations 12:11 (NIV), They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Many express this calling as a desire to break free from their self-imposed prison of secrecy and become "silent no more." This phrase originated with a book by Dr. David Reardon. I read this book when I entered the pro-life arena in 1991 upon my employment at Focus on the Family. The post-abortive stories allowed me to understand that my pain was typical and that many of my apprehensions in life could be related to my abortion choice. I enrolled in a post-abortive outreach program and experienced a miraculous release from the emotional pain and depression that had haunted my life.
God made it very obvious to my heart soon there after that I was to outline my personal struggle with abortion to help others find the same hope through God's healing that He had made so evident to me. I must confess that sharing openly wasn't a calling I initially embraced. I fought this calling, but God's hand was heavy upon my heart. While I feared rejection and judgment, the first audience to hear my story responded with love and compassion. God later opened the door for my story to be shared on the Focus on the Family daily broadcast with Dr. James Dobson. Since that time, I've openly shared my story all over the world. I've testified before audiences as large as 750,000 and as small as one person.
To be silent no more at a public level is a very difficult calling and one that requires a great deal of spiritual depth. As I have matured, I've watched how the pro-life movement has come to openly encourage and even solicit the post-abortive testimony for various "awareness" efforts. I'm convinced that public testimony is a RARE calling because of the intense individual responsibility and spiritual depth that is required. An individual desiring to use their abortion testimony to make a difference in others lives must share thier "secret" with their friends and family first and foremost. Training in the area of abortion-minded and post-abortive advocacy must be completed to equip them to minister to those who may respond in an unexpected manor to their abortion testimony.
Leaders of many "awareness campaign" efforts are well-intentioned. Unfortunately, many are inexperienced in the area of post-abortion outreach and unqualified to verify each candidate's healing and spiritual maturity before utilizing them at a public level. This is the main reason Ramah International does not support any current awareness campaigns. We do, however, support individuals that we know well who are working to equip the post-abortive hearts in sharing their stories.
What Ramah does support is the work of pregnancy care centers and a few select organizations that are laboring diligently to empower individuals who have experienced true healing from their abortion and have received God's calling to responsibly share their abortion testimony at all levels including an individual, a nation or a world. God's empowerment is the most critical element in this passion. Through the many Christ-centered post-abortion outreach programs available many individuals are finding this healing and being mentored to make a difference in the lives of others considering this choice or who are struggling with their own abortion experience.
A select few of these healed individuals are then mentored by the staff of these local centers to be "silent no more" at various levels: state capitols, pregnancy center banquets, church programs, abstinence education efforts and many other arenas. The emotional support provided by outreach leaders further enhances the fruit of these testimonies. These humble, prepared hearts are indeed making a true difference in turning the hearts of our world against the evil of abortion.
God has given me a protective heart when it comes to the post-abortive. I've seen pro-life individuals use the post-abortive person to advance their own passion to end abortion. Being "silent" before God's healing and without God's empowerment can be disastrous, further wounding the post-abortive individual. If unequipped to address an immediate physical, phsycologolical and emotional need in the midst of an "awareness campaign", facilitators may leave attendees feeling more confused and helpless. Ill-equipped event coordinators can damage the mission to reach those wounded by abortion with the hope of God's healing touch.
I've worked with thousands of post-abortive individuals and have come to realize that many have become extremely dysfunctional; depending upon where they are in God's healing process. I am always amazed to hear that many post-abortive individuals are actually seeking out the public platform and feel great delight in being "silent no more." I find this troubling and often come to the conclusion that those who want to share publicly are oftentimes the least qualified to do so. It simply is too serious of a calling to take so lightly and many do so only seeking personal gain.
Many want to share publicly as a form of penitence -- a way to atone for what they have done or to earn God's forgiveness. Others do so in an attempt to find healing without attending a ministry program. Some want the pain to go away and think that a public platform may be the means to that end. When they leave the stage, these individuals often do not experience the desired relief from thier pain and can fall deeper into despair as a result of sharing.
Our voice needs to be strong and confident when we testify, not overwhelmed with emotion. My heart breaks when I hear of post-abortive individuals shouting their testimonies and displaying great anger against those who support abortion rights. Their intense pain is evident and the public spectacle they present is not a productive means to ending abortion.
God has impressed upon my heart that our world doesn't need a great number of individuals speaking out. What we need are trained voices, operating at a Gideon's army level (read the story in Judges 6), to make a difference in the hearts of our nation. That takes time and mentoring on the part of those who want to be involved in this effort. In the end, it's going to be very obvious that God has put an end to abortion and not ourselves.
On the other hand, if you are evading God's calling to be "silent no more," understand that this is a very real and normal emotion. It doesn't mean that God has intended to place you on a public platform. Your local pregnancy care center could certainly use your testimony out of the public eye serving those who are considering abortion. This sharing doesn't require the same amount of training or equipping and will have significant and eternal results. I encourage you to call, visit or stop by your local center to see how the Lord is working in your community to end abortion one life at a time.
If you'd like to read more about this topic, I strongly recommend you obtain a copy of our booklet entitled, "Sharing the Secret of Abortion," that outlines the process of preparing yourself to share on this subject in greater detail. I also welcome your e-mails and I am available to refer you to a healing program in your area. May the Lord continue to bless your heart as you travel in the journey of His will for your life.
Sydna Masse
President & Founder
Ramah International, Inc.
